23/05/2025 19:00
George Russell has questioned the run plan of rival teams in Monaco
ahead of a major rule change at the venue this weekend. For the
first time in F1 history, a mandatory two-stop strategy will be in
play at the Monaco race weekend. Friday marked the first day of
practice around the historic circuit, with teams having just two
sets of hard tyres at their disposal. The white-walled compound was
in use throughout the day, rendering them useless for the rest of
the weekend. The decision to fit them sparked surprise from the
Mercedes camp. "It's always intense around Monaco," Russell told
Sky F1 . "The track isn't quite big enough for 20 F1 cars. As Yuki
[Tsunpda] said, it was a traffic paradise around the track and
that's kind of how it was today. "But it's always amazing driving
around here. We weren't very quick today. "[Saturday] usually is
the main day, but this weekend, with the mandated two stop, it will
be interesting. "You've seen some teams already throw away the hard
tyre, which was a bit of a surprise to us. "That sort of shows
they're looking at a different plan to what we were expecting. So
it'll be interesting." George Russell optimistic over race-day
chances Russell ended the practice session in 12th place,
seven-tenths down on the fastest time set by Charles Leclerc. While
Russell is not counting himself out of the weekend, he suggested
strategy, rather than track position, will play a crucial role in
the outcome of Sunday's race. "In terms of pure performance, it's
probably been our slowest Friday," Russell reflected. "We were bad
here last year and we were only a tenth away from pole, or
something. "So all still to play for, and I'm still pretty excited
to see how Sunday's going to pan out. "So even if we're not in the
top five or top three tomorrow, I still think there may be a bit of
a chance on Sunday, especially for the first time being as it is
this year. We'll keep our hope alive."
